What’s America’s biggest problem? Pervasive civic ignorance.

by Wilson

Wednesday, Sep 19, 2012 at 5:01 PM EDT

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This morning on radio, Glenn shared a recent statement from Former SCOTUS Justice David Souter where he told the University of New Hampshire School of Law that pervasive civic ignorance in the United States could bring forth a dictatorship.

“I don’t worry about losing a Republican government in the United States because I’m afraid of a foreign invasion. I don’t worry about it because of a coup by the military as has happened in other places. What I worry about is when problems are not addressed. People will not know who’s responsible. And when the problems get bad enough, as they might, for example, with another serious terrorist attack or they might with another financial meltdown, some one person will come forward and say, “Give me total power and I will solve this problem.” That is how the republic fell in Roman times. Augustus became emperor not because he arrested the Roman Senate. He became emperor because he promised he would solve all the problems that were not being solved.”

See his statements here:

Quite a bold statement coming from someone who served as a Justice on the Supreme Court of the United States of America.

After reading the statement, Glenn commented on the unbelievably high number of citizens that don’t pay any attention at all to what is going on in their own country, much less around the world.

“You’ve worked hard in the last four years or six years or eight years trying to educate yourself,” Glenn told listeners. “How many of our citizens don’t pay attention at all.”

The comments Justice Souter made at ‘Constitutionally Speaking’ in Concord, NH were his first extended public remarks since retiring three years ago.

Souter was nominated to the court by President George H.W. Bush in October of 1990 and retired in 2009 under President Obama, who nominated Sonia Sotomayor as his successor. While serving on the SCOTUS, Souter was not a favorite among conservatives due to his stances on abortion, affirmative action, among other issues he sided with the more liberal judges on.

That said, the former Justice was known as a strict Constitutionalist. Of all of the subjects he addressed, Souter was the most passionate on the education of Americans and the responsibilities of schools to teach young people the basic principals about their government and its founding principles.

Glenn agreed with Justice Souter’s statement. Regardless of what side of the aisle they claim to be on – Republican or Democrat – if they aren’t informed and there is a big enough problem, they will turn to the person who says they will give the person claiming to have the answers the power.

“Our biggest problem is civic ignorance.”

Much like Glenn, Souter doesn’t believe America has lost its Republic.

“I think it is in jeopardy. I am not a pessimist, but I am not an optimist about the future of American democracy,” he said. “We’re still in the game, but we have serious work to do, and serious work is being neglected right now.”

Justice Souter is right; it is a willful, intentional ignorance of the civics of our nation. We have allowed the progressives to lull us to sleep for far too long; and now we are reaping the generations of that effort, thanks be to God indeed He has given us this one last chance to turn it around.

http://twitter.com/MaryQNelson Mary Q. Nelson

we own the government..they work FOR US. We will see how this ends up in NOVEMBER….we pray for a Romney/Ryan solution!.. GoldenChance.notlong.com

pro·gres·sive [pruh-gres-iv] adjective
1. favoring or advocating progress, change, improvement, or reform, as opposed to wishing to maintain things as they are, especially in political matters: a progressive mayor.
2. making progress toward better conditions; employing or advocating more enlightened or liberal ideas, new or experimental methods, etc.: a progressive community.
3. characterized by such progress, or by continuous improvement.
4. ( initial capital letter ) of or pertaining to any of the Progressive parties in politics.
5. going forward or onward; passing successively from one member of a series to the next; proceeding step by step.

dictionary.com

Enough said.

Draxx

You should have put, “Matt Pro-gres-sive” because that is sure what it looks like you are advocating. Complacent people are walking around lost, my addition was a summary of what Snowleopard was stating. Your Post is the Opposite, so it would seem that is your Political Affiliation. (A Sinking Ship if you ask me…)

Souter has used a classic example of what happens when there’s a power vacuum in a nation beset with internal and external problems, namely from Roman times. He should have slapped the audience with a more current example, namely the rise to power of Hitler. Both are appropriate examples, and cast a scary foreboding shadow of what Obama, the Democrats, and the progressives are trying to accomplish in America right now.

http://www.facebook.com/azabigail1 Toni Carreon

This is a repost…check out the mentioned website, it is VERY interesting….This year we are not just voting on “who we like, or don’t like” we need someone in office who is FOR restoring and keeping America the same powerful sovereign nation that it has always been. Obama has not become interested in EPA issues to woo “green” voters, and it’s not to improve air quality. The EPA may, at one time, have begun as an advocacy for a clean planet, but today it is facade for the Global Climate control push which is a front for establishing a world economic governance. Obama has been busy aligning himself with other world governments and leaders in efforts to establish international legislation which, when agreed to by the leaders of the countries joining the alliance, would be able to make laws and issue dictates over every country in the world, to establish what they call “social justice”, or global socialism. ( for DETAILS…Global Warming Summary–Scientific Evidence Rejects Anthropogenic C02 Theory) Behind the facade of an EPA/ Global Warming umbrella they are preparing legislation to bring every nation under UN international jurisdiction. Through it they will impose taxes, penaties, fines over all “developed” nations under the claim that it will be to “fight” EPA/Global Warming, but the tons of money they will be reaping from this “front” will be held by a UN world economic governance organization. Every U.S president, UNTIL Obama, has REFUSED to relinquish ANY amount of U.S sovereignty and have not joined in agreement, (previously the Kyoto agreement). The site that is included in this post gives MUCH DETAIL concerning this. Al Gore, Reid, Pelosi, and others in his circle are just as involved, they have to continue to try to remove the obstacles in their way of helping Obama “change” America from the powerful, sovereign nation that it has always been to a subjugated, government owned, socialistic, welfare state, susceptible to agreeing with the new UN mandates. This is site (Go to..Global Warming Summary- – Scientific Evidence Rejects Anthropogenic CO2 Theory) for the entire story. It DETAILS a plan that the UN and global national and economic leaders are currently working on, to bring EVERYONE under the jurisdiction of a world economics governance organization, through the facade of a EPA / Global Warming alarm. These players have tried, unsuccessfully, in the past, to bring America into agreement with them. But all past Presidents and administrations have refused. Obama is the first one willing to agree. It appears that legislation may already be in progress, and waiting for final agreement. If they succeed, they will establish international rules and laws, mandates and regulations, that will bring every country and it’s citizens, under their global jurisdiction and if the U.S (Obama) agrees, Americas’ sovereignty will be compromised. Obamas’ agenda is to weaken America, and by legalizing millions of illegal aliens, he is changing the demographics so that true Americans, those truly dedicated and loyal to America, its’ values, constitution, strength, will be out-numbered by those who don’t care sbout the sacrifices that our men and women have made to secure Americas’ sovereignty. They will accept anything and their lack of loyalty to America will make everything that our men and women have fought for, null and void. This will open a path of less resisitance to his plan to “change” America from the powerful, sovereign nation that it has always been, to a government owned, socialistic welfare state and under the influence and / or rule of the UNs’ economic governance organization.

Sandie

For more ammunition, check out the UN LOST Treaty (Law of the Sea Treaty) and Agenda 21. Google them for some info – down right scary and it is happening, uncovered by the media. Once we surrender our rights as a sovereign nation we are screwed.

Karen

I overzealously voted this “up” before I read the last sentence, then tried to undo it by voting “down” – sorry! Hitler and the Romans are great examples of what is happening to us, but to imply that it’s a Democrat agenda is a great mistake. President Bush – and almost every president in the last 80+ years – has pushed us in this direction. Romney is almost lockstep with Obama on healthcare, gun registration, “stimulus” packages, bailouts, the Federal Reserve, and social security. It’s not the “Dems.”

Sandie

To erase your up or down vote, just hit that same arrow again.

Karen

Ah – thanks!!

Anonymous

Did you learn that from Obama commercials… or to much MSNBC…

Karen

I wonder if you misunderstood my comment. I don’t support Obama OR Romney – I find them both too similarly unconstitutional to support. Here is a short clip that won’t take up too much of your time:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZLqsRqKFyI. Then if you’re interested, you could take some time to verify their positions on these issues like I did.

SoThere

A new Media Matters spammer Steve.

Anonymous

AMERCAN’S FEAR NOT — CHINA WILL STILL LET YOU HAVE BREAD AND WATER FOR YOUR 7 DAYS A WEEK WORK AND A TENT TO SLEEP IN AND A VISIT WITH YOUR FAMILY DAY FOR A FEW HOURS HERE AND THERE — — — THAT’S WEAHER PERMITING OF COURSE. THINK OF IT AS JUST CHANGE.

lizaz

When did they stop teaching Civics in school….we had it in grade school (60 yrs ago) and I recently realized it was no longer being taught. They’d rather teach kids how to put on condoms!!! Our moral clarity has denigrated to the gutter, and we are feeling its effects! The Justice is absolutely right!! I can only assume it’s our liberal “educators” who removed the subject…they don’t want us to know that WE THE PEOPLE are actually in charge…as Clint said..we own the government..they work FOR US. We will see how this ends up in NOVEMBER….we pray for a Romney/Ryan solution!!!

SoThere

I had a leftist try and school me on civics the other day but he had no idea how bills are passed in the House and Senate. He was very knowledgeable on the Leftist Rhetoric and talking points. A typical liberal who went through our present school system. He’s been successfully dumb[ed] down to the point of speaking in Liberal Tongues.

Sandie

“Liberal Tongues” … That is a good one. I will have to use it – maybe we can get it into common use in reference to the leftist rhetoric.

SoThere

It explains all the lies from Obama and the leftists about the attacks on our Embassies.

Matt Driscoll

Probably around the same time we stopped having nuclear fallout drills and decided to let African Americans integrate into schools. I realize that the 1950’s were a special time for you when you didn’t have to share a fountain with a Black guy but times have changed gramps.

Anonymous

Is the only word you liberal fascist know is racist. Have you not noticed it does not work anymore. The teachers do not even know civics, or the constitution anymore. If you think that is right because at one time a black could not drink from a water fountain’ you are truly almost cause how does it feel to be ignorant”

Anonymous

Should be truly a lost cause.

Matt Driscoll

You’re confusing my arguments friend. I never said anything was right “because at one time a black could not drink from a water fountain.” If you are going to rebuttal please keep the arguments separate from one another. This is a principal of debate.

new2la

How ironic that Sauter should come out with this after the fact…….he was part of the problem when he was a sitting SCOTUS. How many times did he vote with the left? Too many to count.

Anonymous

Very true. Can it qualify as better late than never?

Paul Koning

Among the ignorance problems is ignorance of the Constitution, and unfortunately many of the judges are excellent examples of this — Souter among them.
Whenever you hear a judge talk about “balancing the governments interest …” you are hearing someone who is Constitutionally clueless.

Anonymous

Justice Souter has a good point. We are more concerned about sports entertainment instead of what really matters in our country.

Hunter

Speaking as a 17 year old whose been politically aware since I was 13, I feel I’m able to state that I know my generation fairly well, and am able to judge the situation with a satisfactory amount of observation and inside knowledge. Stating that, based on my experiences, we’re all screwed. My generation knows nothing of government or politics, unless it is stated by Bill Maher or Jon Stewart.

Anonymous

I agree with Justice Souter. I can’t believe the number of people who know next to nothing about this country, the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution or much of anything else. Oh, they can update you on any number of TV programs and reality shows, but they know nothing about what made (makes) this country so unusual and awesome. It’s shocking!
I was lucky. My paternal grandparents were immigrants who loved this country. One of their proudest days was the day they became citizens. Even after a number of strokes took a lot of my grandmother’s memory away, she remembered the sight of the Statue of Liberty and it still made her cry. She made a number of us cry with her memories of seeing it for the very first time and what it meant. My maternal grandmother was an American history addict and made me one, too — grin! They taught their children well and those children taught me. See how lucky I am?
I think it’s heartbreakingly sad how little people know about this country. In fact, I’m actually coming to believe that, to become a voter, you need to qualify by taking an exam. Only after passing, and with photo ID, should you be provided a ballot.

47percentsolution

Good thing we have FoxNews and (L)GBTV to keep us educamacated and informationed. Oh, darn, I forgot about this:

Fox News viewers are less informed than people who don’t watch any news, according to a new poll from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

47percentsolution

Good thing we got our Foxnews and LGBTV to educationalize and learnify the ignoranted populizations. Oh, darn. Forgot about this one: Fox News viewers in the U.S. are less informed than those who watch nothing at all, a Fairleigh Dickinson University poll says.

Anonymous

And pray tell where is and what is Fairleigh Dickinson University? And why are they superior to any other poll? Souter is right about the dumbing down of our youth and the Liberal changes to what is taught in schools and next they want to teach them how to be homosexuals.

47percentsolution

You can use archaic language all you want, but it doesn’t make you sound any smarter. Where, exactly, is this Homosexual 101? Did you get an “A”? You might wanna let Herr Ailes know so he can have Hannity alert all the extra-chromosome righties.

Sandie

When will you graduate from 2nd grade? After being there for so many years you must have learned something…. oh.. maybe not.

47percentsolution

Unlike the impoverished, tax redistributing red states, where I come from we don’t consider the 2nd grade as “My Senior Year.”

Sandie

No, you consider the 2nd grade as graduate school, something you will never achieve.

Sandie

That “poll” is not a legit poll from the contrived questions to the biased analysis and was debunked long ago. Go back to your leftist brain washing site and tell mediamatters that you flunked again.

greywolfrs

Don’t bother with this idiot. He is just another troll who made yet another account…

47percentsolution

Greywolf. Dude. Go to school. Please.

Sandie

Why, did the little bus leave you behind and now you need a ride?

47percentsolution

Thanks for reinforcing my point, and I’m sure Mommy must be proud of your “B+” in Non Sequiturs: 101.

Sandie

Quick! Your mommy’s coming, hurry up and shut the computer down and get back to your coloring book so she won’t know you were playing with her computer!

greywolfrs

That the best you got? The troll is weak with you, dunce.

47percentsolution

Debunked. Bwahahaha. Just heard that FoxNews has changed its slogan from “Fair and Balanced” to “Ignorance is Strength.” About time. A little more apropos, don’t you think?

Sandie

Keep it up… the world needs more idiots like you.

47percentsolution

Unlike you, I never trained for idiocy. Congratulations on your graduate degree.

Sandie

You didn’t have to train for idiocy. You are a natural! ….LMAO … oh, quick! Your momy’s coming, hurry up and shut the computer down and get back to your coloring book so she won’t know you were playing with her computer!

Since you came here to be a troll and not to contribute to any discussions in any meaningful way, accept your position as idiot in chief, here for our amusement and expect the bashing you will be getting.

Anonymous

Oh 47,47;
Only the least informed believe anything that comes from Fairly Ridiculous University. Ironic that FRU has recurring issues trying to maintain accreditation. I’ve had the -uh-hum “pleasure” of dealing with graduates of that “institution of higher learning”. Let’s just say, not the sharpest tacks in the box. Kind of self-explanatory, don’t you think? Oh wait, could it be you’re their prized alum?

47percentsolution

Oh, I understand. So you’re taking academic instruction from FN. Not surprising. Attack the source, as opposed to the data. Herr Ailes would be proud of you. I’d recommend applying for an unpaid internship.
At least you’ll get to rub elbows with a few hotties, and you might get to
bring Bill O a cup of coffee. Hog heaven for an extra-chromosome righty? I thought so.

greywolfrs

Another dunce heard from. Would you like a side of ignorance with that stupidity? Nevermind, looks as though you already have one.

47percentsolution

No, you’ve got plenty of ignorance and idiocy to go around
for the rest of us. As the Hon. Vice Pres. Dan Quayle once said, “It’s a
terrible thing to lose one’s mind.” It looks like you’ve already fallen victim.
Sorry for your loss. Better luck next time.

greywolfrs

You quote Dan Quayle? Your ignorance knows no bounds. You are the kind of people this former SCOTUS justice was talking. Moron.

EDWARDS

Think about it. When do you think Justice Souter has read the Book of Revelations (The Tribulation is Coming and The Anti-Christ will show himself).

Sarah Tramp

Just a thought…make it illegal to buy something from a business that operates its business illegally according to our (the U.S) laws. Such as child labor. Thus making it illegal to buy things from most factories over seas like china. This will cause a positive reaction helping leveling the cost of production for America. This could help everyone but may bring cost up for a short time.

J Bsharah

There is a reason the liberal education monopoly has dumbed down our students, ensuring that they are ignorant of history, and even how our government works.

Keep ’em dumb, and they can sell their leftist propaganda much easier.

Anonymous

Now I would imagine Justice Souter feels as though he can come out and speak up when he couldn’t before. I pray that the Lord will be merciful and forgive us, but all you have to do is read the Bible it tells all. We are in our last days and our country is coming to an end – nothing to do but to be ready for we know not the hour Christ will come. I hate to be doom and gloom, but it is a fact, just look where we were 20, 10 or even 5 years ago it was starting then….

Bonnie Somer

a/o big problem is how obama ignores he constitution and why no outrage or impeachment that is a huge problem. progressives like obama r a giant problem w/their marxist utopian everyone is the same pipedream his everyone needs to be unmotivated and alike are like the steppford wives a horror as that is he is doing it destroying all america is but forgetting who Americans r: we are motivated educated and doers he fails 2 c these basic things in us builders and people who when we nd something don’t ask someone else we build it and create it ourselves those are the ones he forgets. If we make the right decision now and the tough choices now this won’t happen who do u think will come along Hillary or Van Jones or someother frightening person to destroy us we c tyranny now it’ll b our fault if we allow it to go on

SoThere

(CBS/AP) WASHINGTON – Congressional budget analysts are now estimating that nearly 6 million Americans — most of them in the middle class — will have to pay a tax penalty for not getting health insurance once President Barack Obama’s health care law is fully in place.
That’s 2 million more than a previous estimate found, or a 50 percent increase. The average penalty will be nearly $1,200.
Starting in 2014, the new health care law requires virtually every legal resident of the U.S. to carry health insurance, or face a tax penalty. The Supreme Court upheld Obama’s law as constitutional after finding that the penalty fell within the power of Congress to impose taxes.
The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said Wednesday the penalty will raise $6.9 billion when fully in effect in 2016.

Anonymous

Just read the same article… very good… What seems to amaze me is that these cretins are still under the impression that they are going to get FREE HEALTH CARE…. How out of touch with reality do you have to be to believe that… You will get fined for being to poor to buy health care…. come on people.. Wake Up..

SoThere

None of the liberals will be talking about this today. It’s not Obamalicious.

Anonymous

Don’t think they can talk about it… all they know are the talking points so debating the truth is no more than trying to explain physics to a blooter….

Sandie

Obama lied and raised taxes on the middle class. For some people that means their taxes will just about double – ie almost a 100% increase.

SoThere

Yes he did. He broke his major promise to not raise taxes on the Middle class. Time for the idiot to go.

http://www.twitter.com/cognitiveone Cognitive One

And the Dinosaurs grazed peacefully unaware of their impending doom. Constitutional Republics are Dinosaurs UNLESS we can inform each other with truth and conviction to know what is right and not accept talking points and “free Federal checks” as tools to keep us quietly grazing until our Constitutional Republic disappears. Talk about the new Obama flag of his transformed America, read a book or two about what happened to Austria in 1938. Yes, continue to post but also speak unafraid. Souter shows character to speak the truth. Character Matters. Media Matters doesn’t.

Anonymous

For the life of me i can’t and never could understand why most people will not open there mind to look at what has and is going on right now ! Why is it the GREATEST nation (which is made up of the greatest people)in the world have to be slugged right in the face before they aquire the ability to have there ear’s turned up WHEN THERE IS NOTHING LEFT THERE IS NOTHING TO CRY OVER !
It is a blessing to know that i’m not alone GOD bless you all !

greywolfrs

He is right on several different things. One of the biggest problems is the dumbing-down of the masses by the liberal education system. Another big problem is the SCOTUS, those “justices” are not ruling on the Constitution, they are being lead around by the nose. Take Roberts for instance. His ruling on the Healthscare law was B S. When it was debated in Congress, not buying insurance would incur a “penalty.” When the SCOTUS reviewed it, he called it a “tax.” One question, where in the Constitution does it say the Federal Government has a right to “tax” someone for not buying a product? The answer: No where. It is time to start following our founding documents to the letter, no more interpretation. Those documents are quite clear. When we start doing that, we will get back to being the greatest country the planet has ever known.

Gripe and Complain

Souter repeated “the who is responsible” thingy several times without mentioning what he was talking about. But, we know many crooks and criminals responsible for crimes and fraud and lies and they are not being held responsible. THEREFORE, this country is in BAD trouble. We don’t really know who is responsible and even if we do, we are not doing anything substantial about it. So?

Anonymous

If he was such a contitunal scholar and worries about the republic so much , why did he do everything he could to aid in America’s destruction. While serving on the court. Why did he retire when we had a Faschist president who he knew would appoint a comminist replacement. What he says is true but he hid everything in his power while on the court to aid in the republics destruction. He is worried now , he is only 19 years to late thanks Mr. Souter for nothing.

yingling777

I will tell you what America’s biggest problem is. The country is infestated with people who actually love another race more than their own, to the point of participating in genocide toward their own race, which is the same thing as loving another family more than your own, or feeding another family while your family starves to death. It’s really pretty bad, and it’s getting worse.

cratewasher

And who’s the most popular spreader of misinformation, hype and half truth?
Well it used to be me, but CNN just stole my thunder.

cratewasher

Romney and Ryan’s austerity and theocracy is no solution to America’s deficit crisis.
Only Democrats can balance the budget. We use arithmetic.